If you have ever picked someone up from an international flight at SFO, you know the routine: standing in the cell-phone lot, refreshing the airline app, hoping their phone picks up signal before yours dies. A meet-and-greet service replaces all of that with a chauffeur who is already at baggage claim with a name card when your traveler walks out. Here is how it actually works at SFO.
What a meet-and-greet service includes
The standard meet-and-greet at SFO looks like this:
- Your chauffeur parks in the airport's hourly lot (not curbside) at least 15 minutes before your flight's expected arrival
- Walks into the International Terminal arrivals hall
- Stands in the meet-and-greet area facing the customs exit, holding a name card
- Greets the traveler by name, helps with bags, and walks them to the vehicle
- Handles parking ticket, tolls, and exit
It typically adds $35 to a standard transfer — the cost of the parking and the chauffeur's extra 30 to 45 minutes inside the terminal.
Where the chauffeur stands at SFO international
SFO's International Terminal has two arrival halls — A and G. The customs exit dumps into a wide meet-and-greet area with a low railing where greeters stand on the public side. Our chauffeurs position themselves directly opposite the customs exit, at chest-height with the name card visible. SFO's terminal map labels these areas clearly.
When meet-and-greet is worth it
- International arrivals — customs is unpredictable; a curbside chauffeur sitting on the meter for 90 minutes is more expensive than the meet-and-greet add-on
- VIP clients or executives you have not met — eliminates the "where do I find them?" friction
- Elderly or disabled travelers — physical assistance with bags and navigation
- First-time visitors — SFO is large; finding curbside Door 12 in the rain after a 14-hour flight is the wrong first impression
- Unaccompanied minors — some operators (us included) coordinate handoff with airline UM escorts
- High-jet-lag arrivals — anyone landing after 11pm on a long-haul will appreciate not navigating the curb
When curbside is fine
- Domestic arrivals during normal hours
- Frequent travelers who know SFO and just want efficiency
- Anyone with carry-on only and a charged phone
How to book it at SFO
Three pieces of information let us execute the meet-and-greet correctly:
- Airline + flight number — we use this to track real-time arrival, customs queue length (where data is available), and gate assignment
- The name on the name card — usually the traveler's last name; for VIPs we sometimes use a code phrase to avoid drawing attention
- Phone number for the traveler — even with the meet-and-greet, the chauffeur sometimes texts ahead so the traveler knows what to look for
What can go wrong (and how we handle it)
- Extended customs delay: Standard meet-and-greet includes a 60-minute grace from wheels-down. Beyond that, hourly wait time applies.
- Lost luggage: Chauffeur stays with the traveler at the baggage office, not at the curb. We rebill any extended wait time at the standard hourly rate.
- Diverted flight (e.g., to OAK): Dispatch reroutes; we cover the original deposit and bill the diverted route at standard rates.
Privacy and discretion
For named executives, public figures, or anyone who would rather not have their name on a card in a public terminal, we offer:
- Code-name placards (e.g., "WELLINGTON" instead of the traveler's name)
- Branded company placards
- Stationary chauffeur with phone-based handoff at a pre-arranged spot
Tipping and gratuity
Meet-and-greet does not require an additional tip beyond the standard transfer gratuity (we include 20% by default, adjustable on request). The chauffeur is being paid for the inside-the-terminal time as part of the $35 add-on.
How to add it to a booking
If you booked online, reply to the confirmation email or call 833-457-5466 with the flight number and the name for the placard. If you are booking new, select Meet & Greet on the reservation form. For more on SFO transfers generally, see our SFO Black Car Service page.